Law enforcement believes the incident was drug related

JACKSON COUNTY, AL (WAFF) - A Bryant man is in custody, after allegedly stabbing three of his family members.

Jackson County deputies responded to a domestic call around 3 a.m. Thursday at a residence on County Road in Bryant. En route to the scene, deputies received another call. The caller reported that the dispute had become “more dangerous," and the suspect, 25-year-old Tyler Jackson Blackwell, had armed himself with two knives and began swinging them violently.

Family members reportedly attempted to calm Blackwell down, but their efforts were met with stabbings.

Authorities say Blackwell stabbed his mother in the chest, slashed his stepfather in the arm multiple times, and pierced his stepbrother’s hand.

“I’m all for rehabilitation. I’m all for second chances. But I’m not for second, third, and fourth chances,” said Chief Deputy Rocky Harnen of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.

“You know, people that are breaking the law need to go to jail. And unfortunately we don’t have any room in the jails to put them. So people get put on probation, they get put on community corrections. And I’m not saying this don’t work. I’m just saying sometimes people need to go to jail and get away from society, so they don’t hurt anybody," said Harnen.

Blackwell was arrested and taking into custody when deputies arrived on the scene.

Blackwell’s mother was airlifted to Erlanger with life-threatening injuries. His stepfather was transported by ambulance with non-life-threatening injuries to Erlanger Medical Center. Blackwell’s stepbrother was treated on the scene for a minor wound.

During the investigation, deputies reported that Blackwell became unresponsive. Law enforcement has reason to an believe illegal substance, possibly meth, caused him to lose consciousness and likely prompted the situation.

Blackwell was taken to a hospital in Jasper, Tennessee. His condition is unknown.